April 28, 2010

Discomfort from repetitive movements is caused by "something." When you get rid of the "something" (the cause) your hand pain can also go away.

Here's how it works:

Muscles prefer to move in certain ways. If you move them in positions that they don't like--especially frequently or for long periods--they get unhappy. They complain. That's what this type of muscle pain is: It's a complaint.

Sometimes the "something" is your computer keyboard or mouse.

Using your hands in the most natural and neutral position possible can prevent pain from repetitive stress injury and

help get rid of hand and arm pain from muscle strain or repetitive use. What's the most natural hand position?

Well, if you drop your hands to your sides and look down you will see that your fingers curl slightly toward your palm.

And, if you do a lot of mousing you might develop "mouse hand." You know if you have this--you have more pain when you are using your computer mouse. But you might not feel you have an option if you must use your mouse. I'm going to tell you about an option in a little bit.

If you hold your wrist with too much bend either up or down when you work, that can aggravate muscles in your hand and arm. Try to keep your wrist straight.

Some people use too much force when they click on a mouse. Using a more natural hand position and less force would both help. Remember the slightly curled finger position you saw when you looked down at your hands? PADandCLICK gel pads can help you use that more natural hand position as well as less force when mousing.

One more thing: Stretching to reach your mouse will also cause muscle strain and pain. Try to move your elbow closer to your waist when you work to avoid pain in your hand and arm from repetitive movement.

Testimonials

"G'Day Kathy,
Thank you very much for ALL your helpful info. My symptoms have improved 10000000% with back exercises and your input.
I have found a very intelligent lady (here) who understands the importance of muscle and massage and exercise to stimulate the brain. Have sufferd for decades and was getting worse. I owe much to YOU and her.
Cheers,
- Garry Allen, Australia -
PS I used to play drums in my own band. Guess what I am again doing - after 30 years. Thank you again Kathy.

"Thank you SOOOOO much! I felt better after just one night of following your advice, and after the second night almost normal!" - Lori S., Weston OH

"Hi Kathryn, I recently developed carpal tunnel in my right hand (9 months since I started noticing signif. tingling; now it is painful). The doctors have offered little more than suggesting braces and anti-inflammatory and what I find on the internet is all over the place and often extremely depressing. Your "page" is so encouraging. I have been searching for some ways to manage and reduce the causes, and so I'll be following the advice here. Mostly, I am relieved to have a source of information now that is helpful and positive. So thank you!" - Caroline Brown, by email

"My carpal tunnel is almost all gone. The best help I 'think', was my posture, next was self massage and stretching. I rarely wear my brace anymore. Learning that all these muscles work together has made me realize that the supposedely Carpal Tunnel was just a symtom of something else going on." - Beverly C., by email

"Thank you so much for your information, it is something I have never heard before. I am thrilled to try out these techniques and do think that the scalene issue might be the key for I constantly have pain between my shoulder blades, have big knots along the spine exactly where you say and do hold my head forward. You may have hit the nail on the head."--Riannen Schlosser, Lodi CA (concerned about carpal tunnel pain)

"Thank you for the link - I did do the muscle assessment and it is definitely helping. I will continue to do what's in this report and hopefully will avoid surgery. I'm very happy with the results so far."--Rose Curran, Austin TX

"I don't remember a lot of the stuff in the wrist pain booklet, but I remember the part about sleeping on your back to keep your chest open, and I do that. And my wrists do hurt less!"--Kay Heil, New Boston MI

"My wife, Dave and I are all sitting up straighter and doing some of your exercises. It is always a pleasure to work with someone that really knows about what they are doing, makes my job easier. Thanks."--PJ Caporuscio, ABC Radio & TV Productions

"Thank you again, that is also very helpful. Little by little, I am conquering the knot! : ) "--Katey Cooper, ProVision Creative Web & Print Design

"Really like your content, for purely selfish reasons. I've lived with chronic shoulder pain from migraines. Tried lots of things and your simple suggestions had an excellent response in my body. I look forward to reading and learning more!"--Patrice Dunckley